"I, the author, adjure on the great name of G‑d, anyone into whose hands these [kabbalistic] pamphlets fall, that he should read this introduction. If his soul desires to enter the chamber of this wisdom, he should accept upon himself to complete and fulfill all that I write, and the former of creation will testify upon him, that to him will not come damage to his body and soul, and to all that is his, and not to others, because of his running after good, and one who comes to purify and come close, first before everything, fear of G‑d, to attain fear of punishment, for awe of G‑d's greatness that is the more internal fear, he will not attain, except from the maturation of wisdom. …he needs [to heed] the admonition: turn from evil and do good; and pursue peace

His essential involvement in this knowledge should be, to eliminate the thorns from the vineyard, for those who engage in this wisdom are therefore called tenders of the field. And certainly the evil shells will be aroused against him, to seduce him and to cause him to sin; therefore, he should be watchful that he not come to sin even unintentionally, so that they will have no relation to him. Accordingly, it is necessary to guard against [adopting] leniencies [in Torah Law], for the Holy One Blessed Be He is exacting with the righteous, like a thread of hair. For this reason, he needs to abstain from meat and wine during weekdays, and he needs [to heed] the admonition of "turn from evil and do good; and pursue peace."

Pursue peace: it is necessary to seek peace, and not to be demanding in one's home, whether for an insignificant or a significant matter and certainly a person should not succumb to anger, G‑d forbid! To be cautious in all the details of the commandments, even the words of the Sages

And he needs to distance himself to the ultimate distance [from evil].

Turn from Evil:

To be cautious in all the details of the commandments, and even the words of the Sages for these are included in [the negative commandment] do not stray [from the word that I (G‑d) command you].

To rectify the damage [one has done] before one goes to the coming world.

To be careful not to get angry even when disciplining his children; in principle, he should not get angry at all.

In addition, he needs to be watchful of arrogance, specifically in matters pertaining [to his observance] of Halacha, for the power [of arrogance] is great, and in this regard, arrogance is a terrible sin.

With every pain he suffers, he should examine his deeds, and [then] return to G‑d.

He should also immerse [in a mikva] at the necessary time [as soon as possible after any seminal emission].

He should also sanctify himself during marital relations so that he should not [egoistically/sensually] benefit.

There should not pass any night, [where he does not] think every night what he did during the day, and [he should] confess [and repent].

He should also minimize his business dealings, and if he has no livelihood, except through business, he should intend that Tuesday and Wednesday from noon and on, the intention should be [that these times are set aside] to the service of his creator.

Any speech that is not of a mitzva and necessary, he should refrain from, and even in a matter of a mitzva he should desist [from speaking] during prayer. he should refrain from any speech that is not of a mitzva and necessary

And do good:

To awaken at [Torah-defined] midnight to recite the order [of the Tikun Chatzot] in sackcloth and ashes, and great crying, and with intention [fulfilling], all that comes out of his mouth. And afterwards he should immerse in Torah for whatever time he can be without sleep, and at least a half hour before dawn, he should awaken to immerse in Torah study.

He should go to the synagogue before dawn, before the obligation of talit and tefillin, to be watchful that he should be one of the first of the ten [men that make a minyan].

Before entering [the synagogue], he should accept upon himself the positive commandment "and you shall love your neighbor as yourself," and only then enter.

Not to interrupt his awareness from [the sensations of holiness and consciousness emanating from] his tefillin during prayer, except for Amida and while engaged in Torah study.

It is necessary to be wrapped in talit and tefillin when he immerses himself in Torah study [during the day and afternoon].

To meditate, during prayer, on the [kabbalistic] intentions, as it is written in Etz Chaim.

That he always places before his eyes the [Divine] Name, a product of four [letters]Havayah [Yud-Hei-Vav-Hei], and he should veer from it, as it is written I have placed G‑d before me always.

That he meditatively focus while reciting all the blessings, and specifically the blessings before enjoyment [made over eating in general].

His labor in Torah needs to be, Pardes, and do not think that they will reveal to him secrets of Torah when he is empty of knowledge, as it is written [in Scripture that] [G‑d] gives wisdom to the wise. And one needs to be cautious that he not let escape from his mouth anything of this wisdom, that he has not heard from a man who is not worthy to depend on, as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his colleagues have warned.

Zechariah Goldman is the founder of Devekut.com and is the author of 15 works on Torah spirituality. He lives with his wife and children in Los Angeles, California. He can be contacted at: alephbet@attbi.com

Rabbi Yitzchak Luria […Ashkenazi ben Shlomo] (5294-5332 = 1534-1572 c.e.); Yahrtzeit (anniversary of death): 5th of Av.
Buried in the Old Cemetery of Tzfat.
Commonly known as the Ari, an acronym standing for Eloki Rabbi Yitzchak, the G-dly Rabbi Isaac. No other master or sage ever had this extra letter Aleph, standing for Eloki [G-dly], prefaced to his name. This was a sign of what his contemporaries thought of him. Later generations, fearful that this appellation might be misunderstood, said that this Aleph stood for Ashkenazi, indicating that his family had originated in Germany, as indeed it had. But the original meaning is the correct one, and to this day among Kabbalists, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria is only referred to as Rabbenu HaAri, HaAri HaKadosh [the holy Ari] or Arizal [the Ari of blessed memory].

Rabbi Chaim Vital c. 5303-5380 (c. 1543-1620 CE), major disciple of R. Isaac (Yitzchak) Luria, and responsible for publication of most of his works.

Why should one prepare himself for Torah study? Or what is kabbalah? What was he looking for in the Torah? Do not lie ...do not steal...do not transgress the law...what else? What is chamber of wisdom? Where did he get? And those after him...that he was able to read souls...why to read souls...why to know someone's life...thorns from the vineyard? What was he doing in vineyard? He was to be in exile...
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RahelNew YorkDecember 22, 2014

Thank you, I learned a lot from here and for further study. RahelBut I feel left out since I am a woman and don't know where to turn for help.
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Preparing For Kabbalah
These written words are mostly for men. What about me? I am a woman. I love my King of Kings with all my heart and soul. My desire is to serve Him with all my heart and soul. Could you please tell me what is there for me to do? I shall be receiving KabbalaOnline email this coming week, G-d willing. And will continue to study. Many blessings to you.
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Daniel FrankTorontoApril 8, 2013

G-d gives Wisdom to the Wise
"One needs to be cautious that he not let escape from his mouth anything of this wisdom, that he has not heard from a man who is not worthy to depend on, as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai and his colleagues have warned."
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